REGION: SDG&E ready to start work on Sunrise Powerlink

Receives first permit for line work

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. secured its first approval to
begin work directly on a high-energy transmission line that will
stretch from Imperial County to San Diego's electric grid, the
utility said Friday.

When completed, the 117-mile, $1.9 billion Sunrise Powerlink
will connect San Diego's electric grid to renewable power
generators slated for the Imperial Valley.

The California Public Utilities Commission issued the "notice to
proceed" permit on Nov. 23, for SDG&E to start construction on
a section in Alpine, said SDG&E spokeswoman Jennifer Ramp.
SDG&E employees will start digging trenches for the underground
lines in the middle of next week.

Technically, the "Notice to Proceed" is the 10th such permit the
utility has been issued, but the first that pertains to the line
itself, Ramp said. The other nine were for preparatory work,
including upgrading electrical substations.